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16/10/2025

LSEZA Executive Chairman Hosts Moroccan Ambassador, Explores New Pathways for Trade and Investment

IPNEWS: The Executive Chairman of the Liberia Special Economic Zones Authority (LSEZA) Prince Wreh today hosted His Excellency Mr. Lahoucine Rahmouni, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Liberia, and Counselor Houssain Asrouti of the Moroccan Embassy in Monrovia.

The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations between Liberia and the Kingdom of Morocco, with particular emphasis on attracting development and investment opportunities within Liberia’s designated Special Economic Zones.

Discussions covered key areas including agriculture, industrialization, trade, and public-private partnerships. During the engagement, the Executive Chairman, Prince Wreh highlighted Liberia’s potential as an emerging hub for Moroccan investment, underscoring the nation’s availability of land, abundant natural resources, and a dynamic youthful workforce capable of driving industrial and economic growth.

His Excellency Ambassador Rahmouni expressed Morocco’s openness to deepening cooperation with Liberia and the LSEZA, emphasizing his government’s commitment to fostering partnerships that advance mutual growth and sustainable development.

The Ambassador applauded LSEZA’s vision and pledged to facilitate dialogue between Moroccan investors and Liberian institutions in pursuit of shared economic objectives.

Ambassador Rahmouni also extended appreciation to the Executive Chairman and the LSEZA team for the warm hospitality and the symbolic gesture of the traditional gowning ceremony, which he described as a meaningful expression of friendship and respect.

In a symbolic gesture of friendship and cooperation, the Moroccan Ambassador was gowned by the Executive Chairman, signifying LSEZA’s commitment to building a strong and enduring partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco.

About LSEZA:
The Liberia Special Economic Zones Authority (LSEZA) is a statutory body responsible for promoting, developing, and managing Special Economic Zones across Liberia to drive industrialization, attract foreign investment, and create sustainable jobs.

15/10/2025

LDEA Proposes Compulsory Drugs Test for All Students in Liberia
The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) Interim Management Team is proposing a mandatory drug testing policy for students in elementary, junior, and senior high schools nationwide.
The plan was announced by LDEA Officer-in-Charge Fitzgerald T.M. Biago on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, and is part of a larger national strategy to address the rising issue of drug abuse in the country.
The LDEA describes the initiative as a preventive measure to protect future generations from drug abuse.
Testing would occur at three key educational stages:
A test would be administered before students enter the 7th grade.
Another test would be given after the completion of the 9th grade.
Students would be tested again prior to enrolling in university.
For students who test positive for illicit substances, the policy includes a plan for counseling and rehabilitation.
The LDEA intends to work with other government ministries, including the Ministry of Education, Gender, Youth, and Sports, to implement the program nationwide.
The mandatory testing is part of the agency's "SAY NO TO DRUGS" campaign, which also includes awareness sessions and establishing Peer Educator Clubs in schools.
The proposal follows President Joseph Boakai's dismissal of the previous LDEA leadership in August 2025 and the appointment of an Interim Management Team to strengthen anti-drug efforts.
The new LDEA leadership has already implemented mandatory drug testing for its own officers, dismissing those who tested positive for illegal substances.
The move also follows calls from educators and a 2025 announcement by the Ministry of Education to integrate anti-drug education into the national school curriculum.
There is growing concern in Liberia over the prevalence of drug abuse among youth, with substances like "Kush," tramadol, and ma*****na being cited as significant problems.

15/10/2025

Monrovia City Corporation Mandates All Houses and Businesses Painted Before December 15

IPNEWS: The Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), is warning residents and businesses in Monrovia to paint their buildings before December 15, 2025.

This directive is in accordance with City Ordinance Number 1 section 6 which aims to maintain and improve the city's appearance, and to further ensure that residents have pride in where they live, while at the same time giving the city a befitting look ahead of the Christmas festivities.

A special taskforce from the Monrovia City Government will be dispatched across the city to enforce this mandate without fear or favor.

The deadline for compliance is December 15, 2025, and the MCC strongly warns that non-compliance to this circular will result in a non-negotiable fine of USD 150.

IPNEWS: The Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) has mandated that all residential, commercial, and public properties be painted by December 15, 2025, as part of a city beautification initiative.
The directive, which also requires property owners to keep their surroundings clean, is timed to give the city a facelift before the upcoming Christmas holidays.
According to the directive, all properties must be painted on or before December 15, 2025.
The statement further notes that the MCC is creating a special task force to enforce the mandate across the city. A non-negotiable fine of USD $150 will be levied on violators.
According to the relevant city ordinance, a municipal fine of between $100 and $250 can be imposed for violations.
The directive is authorized by City Ordinance Number 1, particularly Sections 4 and 6.
Section 4 requires occupants (owners or lessees) to keep the areas in front of their premises clean, which includes trimming hedges and cutting grass.
Section 6 requires owners or lessees to paint the exterior of their properties by December 15 each year.
This mandate applies to a wide range of properties, including residential homes, businesses, factories, religious institutions, and other civic buildings.
The MCC will also enforce regulations against re-erecting makeshift structures and fine owners of abandoned vehicles along the streets.
This is not the first time the MCC has implemented such a directive, as past administrations have issued similar orders to enforce city ordinances. The action has been met with mixed reactions from the public:
Some residents support the initiative, praising it as a positive and progressive step toward improving the city's appearance and promoting civic pride.
Other citizens have expressed concerns about the timing and financial burden, questioning how people struggling financially can afford to paint their homes. Some have suggested the MCC should first paint public buildings.
This announcement is the latest in a series of enforcement actions by the MCC this year, which have also included: Cracking down on illegal street selling, Enforcing regulations on abandoned vehicles and makeshift structures and Issuing notices for compliance with development regulations.

15/10/2025

First Lady Kartumu Boakai Underscores Liberia’s Commitment to Women Empowerment at Gambia Conference

IPNEWS: Liberia's First Lady, Mrs. Kartumu Boakai, currently participating in the 12th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, has underscored Liberia’s commitment to commitment to women's empowerment, education, and strengthening healthcare delivery through strategic partnerships with the Merck Foundation.
Speaking as guest of honor, Madam Boakai also highlighted Africa's potential for leadership and innovation, particularly through initiatives rooted in compassion.
The conference was held from October 14–15, 2025, in Banjul, The Gambia. She was in Banjul, The Gambia, for the high-level event. The Luminary gathered First Ladies, health experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss critical healthcare challenges and strategies for advancing healthcare capacity across Africa and Asia.
Liberia’s First Lady, Mrs. Kartumu Boakai is currently in Banjul, The Gambia, where she attended the “12th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary”. The high-level conference brings together First Ladies, health experts, and policymakers from across Africa and Asia to discuss strategies aimed at advancing healthcare capacity and addressing key health challenges across the two continents.

Mrs. Boakai addressed the gathering, highlighting Liberia’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery, women’s empowerment, and education through strategic partnerships with the Merck Foundation and other stakeholders.

15/10/2025

ALJA to Host 13th National Convention in Greenbelt, Maryland — With Focus on Private Sector Investment and Liberia’s Economic Growth

IPNEWS: The Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA) will hold its 13th National Convention from Thursday, October 16 to Sunday, October 19, 2025, in Greenbelt, Maryland.

This year’s convention will take place under the theme:
“Private Sector Investment: A Key to Sustainable Economic Growth and Development in Liberia – The Role of the Media.”

ALJA believes that private sector investment is not merely a pillar but a catalyst for Liberia’s sustainable growth and development. With sound policies and an enabling business environment, Liberia can unlock the full potential of private enterprise to build a prosperous and self-sustaining future.

In keeping with this year’s theme, the convention will explore how fostering a vibrant and inclusive private sector is essential to addressing unemployment, improving infrastructure, and reducing poverty in Liberia. A resolution outlining recommendation on these critical issues will be adopted and released at the close of the convention.

Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Mr. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, will deliver the Keynote Address during the Annual Benefit Banquet and Inaugural Ceremony on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. The event will be held at Martin’s Crosswinds, 7400 Greenway Center Drive, Greenbelt, Maryland.

The banquet aims to mobilize financial and logistical support for the Liberian media. The convention will bring together international journalists of Liberian origin, ALJA members based in the United States, Liberian government officials, politicians, civil society representatives, and friends of the Liberian media.

In the plenary session, the convention will feature panel discussions on the following subtopics related to the main theme:

Unlocking Liberia’s Tourism Potential: The Role of Hotels and Accommodations
Harnessing Agriculture for Economic Growth and Sustainable Development in Liberia: Challenges, Opportunities, and Policy Implications
The Role of the Media in Promoting Private Sector Investment as a Catalyst for Sustainable Growth and Development in Liberia
Panelists will include Mr. James Butty, Managing Editor and Host of VOA’s Daybreak Africa; Ms. Estelle Liberty, Former Director-General of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS); and Mr. Peter Massaquoi, CEO of JMass Group of Companies, Inc.

Another highlight of the convention will be a series of ancillary presentations designed to enhance the professional capacity of ALJA members on key social and economic topics, including:

Taxes Made Simple: What Every Diaspora Professional Should Know
Financial Planning for Sustainable Development
Human Firewalls: How to Protect Yourself from Social Engineering Threats
Ancillary presenters will include Mr. Joe Mason, former ALJA President; Ms. Harriet Z. Sarblee, Financial Advisor and CEO of Sarblee and Associates, LLC; and Mr. Joey Kennedy, ALJA’s current National President.

Delegates will also have the opportunity to participate in cultural and educational activities, including tours of the U.S. Capitol, the World War II Museum, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

Founded in 1998, the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA) is a network of Liberian journalists residing in the Americas. The Association is dedicated to promoting press freedom, strengthening media capacity, and fostering good governance in Liberia through media advocacy and professional collaboration.

15/10/2025

KOICA Alumni Builds UL Students’ Capacity for Career Opportunities in South Korea.

Over 200 students from the University of Liberia (UL) have benefited from a one-day Knowledge Sharing Workshop organized by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Alumni Association of Liberia. The initiative aims to prepare young Liberians for global career and academic opportunities, particularly in South Korea.

The workshop, held at the University of Liberia main campus, focused on key topics such as Digital Capital Market and Illicit Drug Trafficking, Abuse, and Effects.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Frederick Krah, President of the KOICA Alumni Association of Liberia, underscored the importance of the event, saying it helps to bridge the knowledge gap between students in Liberia and those exposed to advanced learning environments in South Korea.

“We are Liberians who studied in South Korea through KOICA scholarships, and our goal is to share those experiences with students here,” Krah explained. “This is our third knowledge-sharing program — the first was in 2023, the second in 2024, and this one in 2025. Each year, we reach more students and expand our impact.”

Facilitators at the event included professionals from the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, and Health, as well as the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA). They shared insights on how skills learned abroad can contribute to national development upon return.

Krah disclosed that the association plans to expand the program to other universities across Liberia beginning in 2026. He noted that current Liberian students studying in South Korea will automatically become members of the association upon graduation, ensuring continuity and growth of the initiative.

“Our long-term goal is to increase the number of Liberians benefiting from KOICA scholarships,” Krah said. “While Nigeria sends about 40 to 60 students annually, Liberia currently sends only about four to six. If we can reach 20 to 50 students in the next ten years, that would be a major achievement.”

Participants described the workshop as eye-opening and inspiring, pledging to make maximum use of the knowledge gained. Many expressed renewed motivation to apply for international scholarship opportunities, viewing KOICA as a gateway to academic and professional advancement.

The KOICA Alumni Association of Liberia continues to play a pivotal role in connecting education, experience, and opportunity, with the ultimate aim of empowering Liberian youth to contribute meaningfully to national development.

15/10/2025

‘The Blackmail will not work’, Cllr. Koffa Dispels Negative Rumors Over HQ Project

The Chairman of the CDC Construction Committee, Cllr. J. Fonita Koffa, has dispelled rumors by a purported individual claiming ownership of a parcel of land recently purchased by the CDC for the construction of the Party’s new Headquarters.

In a swift reaction to reports suggesting that charges have been filed against the CDC, led by Chairman Atty. Janka Kowo and others, Chairman koffa described these claims as purely speculative and unfounded, and a complete Blackmail to distract the party from its groundbreaking ceremonies slated for this weekend.

The purported landowner identified as Safee Edwardson, told Spoon Talk that he is deeply disappointment over the premature move by the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) to conduct a groundbreaking ceremony on his property in Congo Town without concluding a purchase agreement.
According to Edwardson, officials of the CDC reached out to him with interest in purchasing two lots of land he owns in the Congo Two area. He informed them that the land was being offered for sale at a price of over US300,000. However, Edwardson said he was taken aback when the party proposed giving him only US$5,000 to allow them to proceed with their groundbreaking ceremony, slated for October 18, 2025, while promising to continue negotiations afterward.

“I’m disappointed,” Edwardson said. “They came to me, expressing interest in buying the land, and I told them clearly that it was valued at over US$300,000. But what disappointed me more is that they offered only $5,000 to do the groundbreaking and said we would talk about the rest later.”

He described the approach as disrespectful and lacking transparency, noting that no binding agreement had been reached to justify any public ceremony on the property.

Edwardson stated that he has filed a writ before the Monrovia City court against the CDC for alleged criminal trespass and other crimes. But up to press time, no writ had been served.

However, courageous Chairman Koffa stated that these rumors are solely intended to demoralize the CDC and discourage the party supporters from participating in an upcoming event scheduled for Saturday October 18, 2025. The event aims to break ground for the construction of the party headquarters.

Cllr. Koffa emphasized that the allegations are baseless and a distraction meant to weaken the unity and strength of the CDC. He expressed confidence that party members remain steadfast and will turnout in large numbers for the Saturday event, undeterred by such rumors.

Also in a immediate reaction, former CDC CAMAPIGN Chairman Lenn Eugene Nagbe categorically denied ever meeting Mr. Edwardson as claimed by him.
Nagbe told Spoon Talk that he had just visited the property a day and saw nobody claiming ownership.
“Look, even the CDC fines land on Pluto, the Unity Party will still find people to come at the CDC. This property was purchased since 1962 and resold to the CDC. We are not worried over the ownership of this land and I like to encourage all our partisans to turnout for the ground breaking ceremonies on Saturday.

So if the Unity Party thinks it can used any nephroids means to erase the CDC, They must be thinking twice because the CDC is inerasable.
After this groundbreaking, we will be moving to Grand Bassa county and other counties to construct our party headquarters.
All of these are happening because the Unity thinks it can used illegal means to stop the CDC and we are not moved by that. The CDC will go ahead on Saturday for it ground breaking ceremonies.” Former CDC Campaign Chair Eugene Nagbe clarified.

Prior to this claim by Mr. Edwardson, rumors spread that the property was in direct juxtaposition to the construction of the government of Liberia ongoing overhead passing.

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